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Monday, May 31, 2010

The internets weigh in on the new Ye record and I didn't know this but it's unfinished! Like I'm sure all fans of Hip-Hop music, we've been debating and talking this record all weekend. One of my boys doesn't like it and he's the only one and we're pretty much burying his stupid opinion haha. On the real, I think the record speaks volumes about the genius of Kanye West. I think that shit bangs so hard and now to hear it's not even a final mix? That's phenomenal. Still, who am I? Complex got together 20 of the internets biggest influencers and had an email round-table of sorts. I like when they do this actually. Shout out to my man Paul Cantor.

Up top, I need you to understand just how famous those kids are. That's Big Rosky with the big belly back there. Besides being one of my best friends, he also runs a little film company called Hot Mop Films, and full design arena, Spek Studios out of Williamsburg. Mr. Violate Propriety in front is another one of my closest. Mothafuckin Skiiiizzzooooo, famous Graf artist, and one half of the UrNewYork boys absolutely killing shit right now. We took some time to unwind today and I let the iPhone roam free. Video to come. I might even cut it to some new music, why not? I've said it time and time again but I can't drive it home enough, my friends >

Mothafuckin Jimmy Jones, or as we like to call him around here, Dirty Jimbo. (I'm kidding) This record isn't all that terrible. I feel like he really did step up the verses and shit over time. I mostly like this because as better as it can always be, Jim reps New York something special and the imagery is just that.

This is actually the sweet Vicky Secret angel, Miranda Kerr. If you follow your models, you'll know who that is and what she usually looks like. This is a far departure but still kind of hot. She really is a beautiful girl and shot so differently and well by Greg Kadel. Plus, you know what cheetah prints to do my senses.

On the right day, to the right affair, I would do these. I'd be incredibly shy about it all but I would step out and demand your respect haha. Call me crazy. Although the pair shown above is a mens size, Dr. Martens will only be producing women’s sizes, available towards the end of June 2010. Oh well, a boy could dream.

The music biz sweeetheart and Ryan McGinley, tore up New York City shooting for the New York Times Magazine. Can't wait to see some flicks from this. The swing over the city? Incredible as only M.I.A. can do it.

Friday, May 28, 2010

After multiple listens two things are clear. Ye doesn't give a fuck, and the production on this shit is incredible. My opinion might change over the course of the next few hours but as of right now at 6:20am, that's where I'm at.

I just wanna talk about this while it's still fresh in my mind. I won't give anything away just in case you haven't seen it yet. I saw it a little earlier tonight with a couple of my girl friends and one of my niggas. He didn't really wanna see it and it was pretty obvious. I did though. I never saw an episode of the HBO show but the first movie was cool, and I liked this second one, too. Lemme explain. I'm not watching this sort of thing for the ridiculous fashion (there were some gorgeous, very wow pieces though). I'm not watching this sort of movie for the Oscar-winning acting, or incredible writing, or glitz and glam of it all. No way. To put it as simply as possible, I'm interested most in the relationships between the four girlfriends. I've always been enamored by the psyche of woman in general, what makes you tick, how you think, etc. To me, watching a movie like Sex in the City is sort of like being let in on a big secret. If learning how to be better man is something that's important to you, there's such a great value in a movie like this. I've learned so much about women just by listening to what you need, what makes you happy to have, to own. Dude, I'm not talking about listening to every single nonsense detail about everything your girl has to say. I'm talking about getting it. Just fucking getting it. I have this older brother thing about me and although I might not have much to share, there's this. I understand women, and I wanna help you to. One of my favorite scenes (shown up top) is the talk between the two best friends at the bar. It's so real to me. Such an amazing friendship to learn from there. It's so important to make someone feel comfortable enough to do that, to safely go there. To know that it's that okay, and no matter what, you'll still be there for them. That was so ill. Or how Big handled himself even though he was hurt. I know it's just a movie but shit, these scripts are written by humans! There's truth in these moments! There's no reason we shouldn't be striving for these same attributes.

Anyway, I think how I feel is bigger than any "chik flick". I don't see the need in commenting on everything that bothers you about a situation, or everything little thing that could be better. I think at one point you have to learn to instinctually move through life collecting it's jewels and leaving alone the rocks. So with that said, go see Sex and the City 2. Go see it with your girlfriends, your girl, your brother, your Mom, whoever. Why the hell not? You might learn a thing or two.

This guy cares so much and I think that's the exact thing that makes him great. He shoots Hip-Hop legends, he believes in them and feels the need to iconize them. Not to mention Big Boi takes some of the greatest photos. He's a short dude but yo, clothes look mad ill on him haha. The buckets, the shorts, hoodies. Believe it or not, I've taken way more fashion cues from him over 3 Stacks. If you have any interest of documenting artistry with a serious artistry of your own, please watch the clip up top. Below, the ill ass cover art for Big Boi's forthcoming album dropping July 6th.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Just downloaded it. Not sure what to expect being that I've heard a bunch of the cuts already but I'm sure there's still a jewel here and there on it. Just good shit to have to play when your people are over and what not. Puff has a big shit talking intro that came out yesterday that I chose not to post until the full thing came out.

It's mothafuckin' Ricky Ross day on the internet. The promo this guy is running stays on point because first and foremost, the verses are incredible, second, the nigga stays fresh. It's just right. I'm not too too into the videos about nothing but they aren't bad and at least everybody got Canon 5D's now haha.

I can't stop listening to this. The hook is probably the best thing on it. I'm gonna have to go with Drake over Hov on this one. The kid fucking kills it. I just wanna thank him for making sure we have this. Jay-Z says a lot of real shit on here. It has tags all over it and it's obviously not officially out but it's just an amazing record all around, I had to post. I cannot wait to support this album June 15th.

"I been up for four days, getting money both waysdirty and clean, I could use a glass of cold spadesrolex, and chauffeurs and low fades I keep thinking how young can you die from old age?they always tell me nobody working as hard as youand even though I laugh it off, man it's probably truecause while all of my closest friends out partyingI'm just here making all the music that they party toobut party on party on all night niggaI got this new rappers nervous prom night niggaI grow tired of these fucking grown men liarsstorytellers they don't even need a campfireuh, but I just wanna tell the truthbefore one of these haters load a couple shells and shootthis shit feel like when Fredro Starr was at Sunset Parkstunting hard in his yellow Gooseyeah, and I'm a mothafuckin' mis-target but a target nonetheless and I just startedwas that directed at muá? can't bethey must be talking to themselves Hov, hands freeyeah, and I'm just filling up this daily plannergetting busy cause I'm a star, no spangled bannerjealous dudes get to talking in they musicand I just say I wrote it for your girlfriends, Kelsey Grammer yeah, that's what life becomes when you doing youwelcome to Hollywood, don't let this town ruin youand if you pillow talking with the women that are screwing youjust know that she gon tell another nigga when she through with youdon't get impatient when it takes too longdrink it all even when it tastes too strongyeah, I gotta feel alive even it kills mepromise to always give you me, the real me"

This is really nice and no where near what I expected it to be. The film/documentary takes place in "one of the worst places on earth to be a child", Uganda. It tells of the children raised there in a hip-hop, b-boy and breakdancing culture, using it to inspire communities through a special project called, Abraham “Abramz” Tekya’s Breakdance Project Uganda (B.P.U.). Crazy Legs, of the legendary Rock Steady Crew had been invited some years back and upon traveling throughout Uganda, discovered such a love of the culture he helped create, such a positive light. Bouncing Cats follows Abramz, Crazy Legs, and Breakdance Project Uganda on a journey to use hip-hop for positive social change. It's just really very interesting to me. You see and hear the influence Hip-Hop has every which way you look but you never really know. This is incredible to me. The film features narration by Common and interviews with Mos Def, Will-I-Am, and K’Naan.

Absolutely love the photography going on here. The various fashion by Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, Alexander Wang and others is a bit of a hit or miss but the pictures by Serge Leblon really push this thing over the top.

*Shout to everybody at Goodfella Radio tonight for real. Nice people, organized, on their shit. Always good to see that. They premiered this joint up top which made a lot of sense because that's all Illz' people right there.

Just about to jump out for the night and I wanted to make sure you knew where to find me. I'm heading over to see the extended family at UrNewYork do their thing at EDEN Fine Art Gallery, 50th & Madison - then it's off to my inteview with the GoodFellaRadio boys at 10pm. Listen live if you're in Jersey, on 90.3FM or just head over to goodfellaradio.com where you can watch and listen to the interview live, in it's entirety. I'm premiering a new song and all that so support the kid check for me. Also, I'll have updates and all when I get back. Peace!

I've liked these guys for a while and it's nice to see them really start to do it up as of late. Haven't got to see this yet but I'm sure they drop a few jewels. One of my favorite new blogs, Cash & Cavier got to sit down and talk to the duo, here's what they had to say.

Here at Cash & Caviar, we value art in all its fascinating forms, but we appreciate the artist behind the art even more. That’s why we were excited when we got the opportunity some time ago to speak with Maxim Bohichik and Alex Bergman of video directing duo, BB GUN. As some of two of the hottest video directors making their mark in videos, the guys have worked with Fabolous, Christian Rich, J.Cole, Busta Rhymes, Kid Cudi, Donnis, and Asher Roth, just to name several. What I respect about these guys is how they keep upping the ante on the visionary ladder, like in their new video for band, Loyal Divide.

We heard about this track a cople months ago but nobody knew what the deal was with the title. Could've been anything with this nigga but, it dropped today and in my opinion, this shit kills everything. I don't know what this guy puts in his soup but the rhymes are potent and hit so hard, so clever. Rae's been in my top 3 for 6 months now.

I saw this yesterday when Dred pulled it up at the Mop and it blew my mind. Casey Affleck is a beast in the role and Jessica Alba has never looked so God damn good to me. Film flirts with me behind music's back and I can't lie, I wanna fuck.

*There's a much better, longer trailer but I can't get the proper embed anywhere, watch it here.

Shorty is one of those artists you really gotta keep your eye on because if you blink, you'll miss something amazing. The cover up there is beautiful. Much respect to where Complex has taken things.

As a mom, do you hope for struggles for your son in his lifetime?
M.I.A.: I don't hope for them, but he's probably going to have them. I think their generation is probably going to have the craziest, you know? In what respect?
M.I.A.: Any kid being born in these times is gonna have to be resilient to a million and one things. We thought we'd seen it all, and our parents thought that they'd seen it, but every generation it gets more and more intense. Do you think our grandparents would think we have it harder than they did?
M.I.A.: Yeah, I think so. When I look back on my grandparents' time, there was no rush in their lifestyles. More family values, better food—I'm assuming everything they ate was organic because it was grown really locally—local culture, and all of that is gone now. My baby's generation, in his lifetime everything is gonna be a struggle to gain all the things they took for granted: privacy, good food, and time to spend with family. It's gonna become more isolated and more technology-based.

Interested as fuck in the new Women's collection. I saw a couple pages of new ads today and I can't believe that print on the skirt and jacket in the two pictures on top. How gorgeous. Game killer if you ask me. I'd love to see a piece in person and feel the silk with my own hands.

You gotta love Nas for this. His voice is so potent. Absolutely one of the voices of my generation, absolutely a pioneer forever. Props to Levi's for creating such intriguing original content. And props to whoever shot this because it's really dope.

Saw this off of Bedford Ave in Williamsburg yesterday, and thought it was interesting. Seems to be the new ad campaign for Hov's Rocawear brand. There's very few pieces I'd ever consider wearing just yet, but they have a come a long way. Interesting to see them go for it.

My homie Tensta just put this out over his Twitter and it's fucking bananas. Here's what he had to say:

Ever since me and Eboi recorded this track in Umeå more than two years ago, it’s been a part of my live set. In fact it’s been around for so long that I think both me and Eboi, in turns have recorded three verses each on it. Just because we thought it needed a “make-over”. In the end we decided to go with some of the earlier verses. Since premiering this on Swedish national television a while back, people have been asking WHEN or IF it’ll ever be released. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the date has finally come. This is Addeboy Vs. Cliff’s third single “Sinner” You can buy the track on iTunes here.

Oh boy. Guess who's name is written all over these hahha. The green-obsessed, Lacoste polo wearing son-of-a-nice lady is gonna flip when he sees the Broadwick sneaker in a high top soft suede coming this Fall. I'm feeling the high quality and silhouette. And you know me, I do kicks.

I wasn't sure if I should post this or not because it's well known it isn't complete and I'm not into that. But, I can't stop listening to it my damn self so it's only right I share with ya. It's really nice and Jeezy is pretty extra dope on the shit. I feel like Drake's album is gonna really kill everything. Very excited for June 15th.

Haha, yo Puff's one funny mothafucka. I wonder if Flex was serious showing him that bullshit. Looks like he might've been. I told Chris Daddy, it's ill when you think about how long Puff's had money and how long the guy's been driving big cars. I've never seen Flex look so small haha.

Oh boy, I'm excited for this... I have to head uptown and check it out. The Met Museum brings you: Doug + Mike Starn on the Roof: Big Bambú, a fatty play structure. I'm soo all about branches on top of roofs that you can sink your feet into. Literally. I'm hoping to head up there and check it out soon, you should do the same.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Wow. This is a really dope record by the boys. I hope the radio is good to it but regardless, it's great music and it's crazy to hear and see (damn near every night) just how far this band has come. Black Thought sounds great. The Roots’ forthcoming How I Got Over drops June 22nd.

You can say whatever you want, about whoever you want. In my opinion? Big was the illest. The best of the dead. The man would have been 38 years old today, May 21st, 2010. Rest in peace playboy.

*Yo, huge props to www.upnorthtrips.com for having some of the most incredible gallery Hip-Hop photos I've ever seen. I can only imagine what gems they'll post today for Big's born day. I just went into their archives and grabbed a few of my favorites.

These look great. They breathe new life into the label that was hot when I was in high-school. I'm with the “Old Kilim Print” featuring premium suede leather details and of course the trademark purple logo tag. Cop.

This takes the black on black watches I love to another level. Fashion designer Neil Barrett along with premier Swiss watchmakers Maurice Lacroix, have created a watch fully wrapped in black leather. The end-result is a serious timepiece you can inquire about here.

I know we're in Summer-mode right now and these are Fall Collection stuff but I actually think over a cool white tee these would look great. The guys at Burton team with Johnson Woolen Mills’ plaid and combine with leather for new shit. Preview here.

Although I don't really like posting these MTV players, this specific one is special. I love how Ross laughs when the interviewer asks if they were in the studio till about 3, 4am. That just shows the genuine excitement and love the nigga has for the life. Ohhh, the life. Hanging out on the Blueprint 3 tour for a few days before playing Hov something bananas and getting him worked up enough to bang something incredible out in but a few minutes. That life, crazy shit. I can honestly say I'm waiting like a real fan for this Teflon Don project coming out.

You already know I'm more than a little bit obsessed with Kate Moss' face and likeness. Plus, I needed an excuse to post my new tee. Amk and I were walking around on the east side of things downtown when we noticed this little store that looked like a pop-up thing on Mulberry. We walked in and the dude at the register told us they were closed and would open for a sale tomorrow. So we turned around to leave when I saw this shirt hanging on the side I just had to had to get a better look at. It's the signatures of all the top 90's supermodels with love, there's Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum, Milla Jovovich, Ella Macpherson,Tyra Banks, and of course, my Kate Moss haha. I turned to the dude and asked him how much the tee would be tomorrow and when he told me, well, he knew I wasn't leaving without it. I walked out that bitch with one of the best $20 impulse buys e v e r hahaaha. Yeah, I'm a funny kid. Now I just need the right fashion event to perform at and we'll be all good.

Let's show some love to the kid for this, he kills it. Boy can rap his ass off at times. Quotables for days. I even love how he throws some little singing at the end. Almost oying with the fact he can sing a catchy hoook whenever he feels like it. Great talent. Thank Me Later drops June 15th.

This is fucking sick. Done entirely by my friends! Haha. 2 & Ski of URNewYork fame and glory come together with Art Asylum Boston to create Ten (10) original, hand done works on 300gsm Fine Art Paper. Using unique layering techniques, intricate line work, a text-based style & incandescent color palette, the boys take you along for the ride and show what goes into the actual leg work of being a mothafuckin professional. Shot really dope by the Hot Mop Film crew.

It's cool when two iconic guys have a conversation and let the world in on it.

IGGY POP: I wanted to start out by talking to you about the biggest mess you’ve created, which is the Barack Obama piece you made in the run-up to the last election. My first thought was that it reminded me a little of something I would have seen in the Middle East—you know, the kind of simple picture of a leader that you see go up when there’s going to be civil unrest or when they die. What were you thinking when you made that image?

SHEPARD FAIREY: I created the Obama image with a little bit of a different intention than a lot of other stuff that I make. It’s not that I haven’t put people who I admire on pedestals before, but they were usually people like the members of Black Sabbath or the Black Panthers. I’ve also made a lot of political art in the past where I was criticizing people like George W. Bush—I worked very hard in 2004 to make anti-Bush imagery. But then Bush got reelected, and so I thought I needed to reevaluate my approach to mainstream politics. At that point, I’d had a kid, a daughter, and as the 2008 election campaign was beginning, I had a second daughter on the way. So I started to think, “This isn’t about me augmenting my existing brand of pissed-off rebellion. This is about my daughters’ future.” I wanted it to have a stylistic connection to my other work, so I didn’t use the typical red, white, and blue—I used the red that I use, and that cream background, and then I worked with different shades of blue so the image had that patriotic feel. I wanted to make an image that deracialized Obama, where he’s not a black man, but a nationalized man. And then, secondly, when a person is turned into a stylized or idealized icon, it means that someone has decided that the person is worthy of this treatment, and the viewer then maybe takes a step back and says, “Well, they’ve been validated by someone, so maybe I should look at them a little more closely and decide whether they’re worthy of that validation.” So my thinking was that if people took that step, then I was pretty sure that they would want Obama to be president. His opposition to the war in Iraq when it was an unpopular position, his stands on health-care reform and the environment and decreasing the power of lobbyists—those were all things that resonated with me.

This dropped in the morning and it has a great verse from Drake on it. One thing I don't understand though, someone said on Twitter they're happy a rapper finally spit a verse that had to do with the r&b song it accompanied? Really? What the fuck else should a rapper be doing? you should always keep in mind the music and theme and concept behind a record you're rapping on. Knuckleheads.

So excited about a new season of this. It's a little wild when I think about it because this is what started a fight a couple months ago that has kept the bullshit afloat to this day. I don't even wanna talk about it actually. Just excited to chill and watch this with friends like old times.

Wiz right now is one of our favorites. Here he is running around Hollywood in the middle of his sold out shows across America. BlkDmnds Films and director Alex Nazari put the camera on him in a couple of key scenes where he's wearing cool clothes and it just works. Kush & OJ was very ill and you should have it by now. If you don't, pick it up here, courtesy of NahRight.

*Really cool little addition to this story if you don't mind. There may be only one person who really feels me on this, and that's Will Divide. What may be 10 years ago at this point, he produced a beat using this same sample as used in Wiz's joint up top. The beat was never "done" as producers like to say haha, but I fell in love with it and wrote a full song with 3 verses and a chorus. I wrote the chorus part with Natalie from Nina Sky in mind, who back then was just my childhood friend Nat. Sadly, we never got to finish it and to this day I have the joint with full verses on it and a missing hook.

Man respect mothafuckin' Nahright for this right here. One of the best 40 seconds in a while. Stacey Dash looks drop dead gorgeous boyyy, like, I think that's the best way to describe how she looks in this. Like for real, drop dead gorgeous. Plus, the new Curren$y x Ski shit playing in the background is bananas.